Child Resistant Storage Container

ABSTRACT

A container assembly including a container tray and a container lid mateable with the container tray. The container tray includes a base flange, a tray panel, and a surrounding tray sidewall extending therebetween. The tray panel includes a recessed storage region in which various items (e.g., medicine) can be stored or contained. A plurality of protrusions extend from the tray sidewall. Each protrusion can include upper and lower tapered surfaces. At least a portion of the upper surface is substantially flush with the tray panel. The container lid includes a lid panel and a surrounding lid sidewall extending from the lid panel. A plurality of recesses are formed into an interior surface of the lid sidewall. Each recess is configured and positioned to securely engage a corresponding one of the plurality of protrusions when the container lid is mated to the container tray.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to and benefit from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/265,864 titled “Child Resistant Storage Container” filed on Dec. 10, 2015, the entire content of which is herein expressly incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This patent application generally relates to plastic packaging, and more specifically, to child resistant packaging.

BACKGROUND

Plastic containers and packages are a convenient and cost effective way to store and transport various items. For example, food items and medicines are often packaged in plastic containers. It is desirable in many instances, and particularly with medicines, to protect the contents of a package from tampering and to prevent unauthorized access to the contents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The child resistant storage containers disclosed herein may be better understood by referring to the following Detailed Description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals indicate identical or functionally similar elements:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a child resistant storage container according to a representative embodiment;

FIG. 2A is top plan view of the child resistant storage container shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 2B is side view in elevation of the child resistant storage container shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A;

FIG. 2C is an end view in elevation of the child resistant storage container shown in FIGS. 1-2B;

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the container tray introduced in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4A is top plan view of the container tray shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 4B is side view in elevation of the container tray shown in FIGS. 3 and 4A;

FIG. 4C is an end view in elevation of the container tray shown in FIGS. 3-4B;

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the container lid introduced in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6A is top plan view of the container lid shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 6B is side view in elevation of the container lid shown in FIGS. 5 and 6A;

FIG. 6C is an end view in elevation of the container lid shown in FIGS. 5-6B; and

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of the locking features as viewed from FIG. 2C.

The headings provided herein are for convenience only and do not necessarily affect the scope or meaning of the disclosed embodiments. Further, the drawings have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be expanded or reduced to help improve the understanding of the embodiments. Moreover, while the disclosed technology is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are described in detail below. The intention, however, is not to unnecessarily limit the embodiments described. On the contrary, the embodiments are intended to cover all suitable modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the technology described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Overview

Technology is disclosed for child resistant container assemblies. In a representative embodiment a container assembly includes a container tray and a container lid mateable with the container tray. The container tray includes a base flange, a tray panel, and a corrugated surrounding tray sidewall extending therebetween. The tray panel includes a recessed storage region in which various items (e.g., medicine) can be stored or contained. The container tray and a container lid include cooperative locking features to prevent unauthorized access to the container's contents. For example, a plurality of protrusions extend from the tray sidewall. Each protrusion can include upper and lower tapered surfaces. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the upper surface is substantially flush with the tray panel. The container lid includes a lid panel and a surrounding lid sidewall extending from the lid panel. A plurality of recesses are formed into an interior surface of the lid sidewall. Each recess is configured and positioned to securely engage a corresponding one of the plurality of protrusions when the container lid is mated to the container tray. The engagement between the protrusions and recesses is very difficult for children to separate, thereby making the disclosed storage containers child resistant.

General Description

Various examples of the containers introduced above will now be described in further detail. The following description provides specific details for a thorough understanding and enabling description of these examples. One skilled in the relevant art will understand, however, that the techniques discussed herein may be practiced without many of these details. Likewise, one skilled in the relevant art will also understand that the technology can include many other features not described in detail herein. Additionally, some well-known structures or functions may not be shown or described in detail below so as to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the relevant description.

The terminology used below is to be interpreted in its broadest reasonable manner, even though it is being used in conjunction with a detailed description of some specific examples of the embodiments. Indeed, some terms may even be emphasized below; however, any terminology intended to be interpreted in any restricted manner will be overtly and specifically defined as such in this section.

With reference to FIGS. 1-2C, a child resistant storage container 1 according to a representative embodiment, generally includes a container tray or bottom tray portion 2 and a container lid or lid portion 3 that fits on top of the tray portion 2 thereby forming an enclosed area in which various items can be stored. Accordingly the container tray 2 and the container lid 3 comprise a container assembly. While FIGS. 1-2C show the child resistant storage container 1 having a generally rectangular shape, other shapes can also be used. As described in greater detail below, when the lid portion 3 is assembled to the tray portion 2, it becomes virtually impossible for children to separate the lid 3 from the tray portion 2, thereby making the storage container 1 child resistant. The difficulty children have in separating the lid 3 from the tray portion 2 generally stems from a child's lack of hand strength to separate the lid 3 from the tray portion 2 when the lid 3 is mated with the tray portion 2.

With reference to FIGS. 3-4C, the tray portion 2 is shown without the lid portion 3. As shown in FIG. 3, for example, the container tray includes a base flange 12, a tray panel 14, and a surrounding tray sidewall 6 extending therebetween. In some embodiments, tray sidewall 6 comprises a corrugated surface. For example, tray sidewall 6 can include a plurality of ribs 20 extending between the tray panel 14 and the base flange 12. The tray panel 14 includes a recessed storage region or area 4 where various items may be stored, such as medication or food items. The recessed storage region 4 includes a recess panel 16 offset from the tray panel 14 and a surrounding recess wall 18 extending therebetween. In some embodiments, the recess wall 18 comprises a corrugated surface with a plurality of ribs 22 extending between the tray panel 14 and the recess panel 16. This recessed storage area 4 can be any suitable shape or dimension to accommodate various items to be stored.

A plurality of tray locking features, such as protrusions 5, are each located generally in the area of a corresponding corner of the tray portion 2. Any suitable number of these protrusions 5 can be included on the tray portion 2 and they can be located generally anywhere around the top periphery of the tray portion 2. Generally, the protrusions 5 extend in a direction approximately perpendicular to the sidewalls 6 and/or parallel to the base flange 12 of the tray portion 2. The tray portion 2 also includes a plurality of tabs 7. The tray portion 2 includes four tabs 7 located at each corner of tray portion 2, though any number of tabs in any locations can be provided. The tabs 7 extend in a direction approximately perpendicular to the sidewalls 6 and/or parallel to the tray panel 14 and include a flat surface area. The tabs 7 are generally sized so that when the lid 3 is placed on top of and engaged with the tray 2, the tabs 7 extend well beyond the periphery of the lid 3. In this manner, the tabs 7 are graspable when the lid 3 is on top of and engaged with the tray 2, and can be used by adults to separate the lid 3 from the tray 2.

With reference to FIGS. 5-6C, the container lid or lid portion 3 is shown without the tray portion 2. The lid 3 includes a lid panel or top portion 8 and surrounding lid sidewall 9. In some embodiments, the lid 3 includes a lid flange 24 extending around a periphery of the lid sidewall 9. The dimensions of the lid 3 are such that when the lid 3 is placed on and engages with the tray 2, the sidewalls 9 of the lid 3 rest flush against the sidewalls 6 of the tray 2 and the top portion 8 extends over the storage area 4 to thereby enclose the storage area 4. Lid portion 3 further includes one or more lid locking features, such as recesses 10, formed into an interior surface of the lid sidewall 9, wherein each recess 10 is positioned to receive a corresponding protrusion 5 when the container lid 3 is mated to the container tray 2. The recesses 10 are located on the lid portion 3 in corresponding locations to where the protrusions 5 are located on the tray portion 2. Thus, while the lid 3 can have any number of recesses 10 located at any portion of the lid 3, the location and number of recesses 10 should correspond to the number and location of protrusions 5 on the tray 3. The recesses 10 are sized and shaped so that the protrusions 5 fit snuggly within the recesses 10 when the lid 3 is placed on top of and engaged with the tray 3. In some embodiments, the lid portion 3 also includes a plurality of tabs 26 (e.g., four tabs) located at each corner of lid portion 3, though any number of tabs in any locations can be provided. The tabs 26 extend in a direction approximately perpendicular to the sidewalls 9 and/or parallel to the top portion 8 and include a flat surface area similar to the tabs 7 of the container tray 2.

A side view of a protrusion 5 engaged with a recess 10 is shown in FIG. 7. The lid 3 is shown in cross-section to better illustrate the construction and engagement of the locking features (e.g., protrusion 5 and recess 10). In order for the lid 3 and tray 2 to form a child resistant storage container, in some embodiments, the fit between the protrusion 5 and the recess 10 is relatively tight, and thus the dimensions of the protrusion 5 and corresponding recess 10 are carefully designed and manufactured to ensure a tight fight. Accordingly, in some embodiments, each recess 10 is configured and positioned (e.g., including closely mating surfaces, chamfers, radii, and angles to provide a tight locking engagement between the protrusions 5 and recesses 10) to securely engage a corresponding one of the protrusions 5 when the container lid 3 is mated to the container tray 2.

In some embodiments, the protrusions 5 include upper 30 and lower 32 tapered surfaces. In other words, the upper 30 and lower 32 surfaces can be angled with respect to the tray panel 14 (e.g., horizontal). For example, the upper surface 30 can be angled at an angle A₁ and lower surface 32 can be angled at an angle A₂ with respect to horizontal. In some embodiments, angle A₁ and A₂ are approximately 15 degrees. In some embodiments, angle A₁ is approximately 15 degrees and angle A₂ is horizontal (e.g., A₂=0). In some embodiments, the values for angles A₁ and A₂ can be different. Furthermore, in some embodiments, one or both of angles A₁ and A₂ can be eliminated altogether. It should be appreciated from the figures that, in some embodiments, the protrusions 5 are located flush with the tray panel 14. For example, at least a portion of the upper surface 30 is flush with the tray panel 14. In other embodiments, the upper surface 30 protrudes above the tray panel 14.

In at least one representative embodiment, the container assembly 1 can have overall dimensions of approximately 5.0×3.9×0.5 inches. Correspondingly, the protrusions 5 can have a height D₁ of approximately 0.15 inches and a length D₃ of approximately 0.17 inches, positioned a distance D₂ of approximately 0.35 inches from the base flange 12.

One of skill in the art will appreciate that the dimensions presented here can vary without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Furthermore, it should be appreciated that the recesses 10 will have interior dimensions substantially matching that of the protrusions 5. For example, in the depicted embodiment, D₃ and D₄ are substantially the same. However, in other embodiments, the recess dimensions and the protrusion dimensions can be adjusted to adjust the difficulty of separating the lid and tray. For example, differences between the depth D₄ of the recess 10 and the length D₃ of the protrusion 5 can play a significant role in how tightly the lid 3 and tray 2 stay together (or how difficult it is to separate the two).

Additionally, the material used for the recess 10 and protrusion 5 can also play a role in how tightly the lid 3 and tray 2 stay together. Generally, the lid 3 and tray 2 are made from plastic, such as .020″ thick polyethylene terephthalate (PET), for example and without limitation. However, different types and thicknesses of plastic can be used for the protrusions 5 and recesses 10 to make it harder (or easier) to separate the lid 3 from the tray 2. Different plastics can have different elasticities, and therefore a plastic with a lower elasticity will generally make it harder to separate the lid 3 from the tray 2 by making it harder for the protrusion 5 to come out of the recess 10. The thickness of the plastic can also play a role in adjusting the rigidity of the protrusion 5 and recess 10.

The difficulty in separating the lid 3 from the tray 2 can be adjusted to satisfy a variety of demands from consumers. For example, the various parameters of the protrusions 5 and recesses 10 discussed above can be adjusted to make the lid 3 easier to separate from the tray 2.

The storage container disclosed herein is highly reusable. As known to those of ordinary skill in the art, the strength and elasticity of plastic can change over time, with the elasticity generally increasing and the strength decreasing. However, the design of this storage container minimizes the effect that opening and closing the container has on the strength and elasticity of the plastic used. Accordingly, it is envisioned that the container can be used numerous times without sacrificing its ability to be child resistant.

Remarks

The above description and drawings are illustrative and are not to be construed as limiting. Numerous specific details are described to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosure. However, in some instances, well-known details are not described in order to avoid obscuring the description. Further, various modifications may be made without deviating from the scope of the embodiments.

Reference in this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the disclosure. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. Moreover, various features are described which may be exhibited by some embodiments and not by others. Similarly, various requirements are described which may be requirements for some embodiments but not for other embodiments.

The terms used in this specification generally have their ordinary meanings in the art, within the context of the disclosure, and in the specific context where each term is used. It will be appreciated that the same thing can be said in more than one way. Consequently, alternative language and synonyms may be used for any one or more of the terms discussed herein, and any special significance is not to be placed upon whether or not a term is elaborated or discussed herein. Synonyms for some terms are provided. A recital of one or more synonyms does not exclude the use of other synonyms. The use of examples anywhere in this specification, including examples of any term discussed herein, is illustrative only and is not intended to further limit the scope and meaning of the disclosure or of any exemplified term. Likewise, the disclosure is not limited to various embodiments given in this specification. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. In the case of conflict, the present document, including definitions, will control. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A container assembly, comprising: a container tray, including: a tray panel and a surrounding tray sidewall extending from the tray panel, wherein the tray panel includes a recessed storage region; and one or more protrusions extending from the tray sidewall; and a container lid mateable with the container tray, including: a lid panel; a surrounding lid sidewall extending from the lid panel; and one or more recesses formed into an interior surface of the lid sidewall, wherein each recess is positioned to receive a corresponding one of the one or more protrusions when the container lid is mated to the container tray.
 2. The container assembly of claim 1, wherein each protrusion includes upper and lower surfaces, wherein at least one of the upper and lower surfaces is tapered.
 3. The container assembly of claim 2, wherein each recess is configured and positioned to securely engage a corresponding one of the one or more protrusions when the container lid is mated to the container tray.
 4. The container assembly of claim 2, wherein at least a portion of the upper surface is substantially flush with the tray panel.
 5. The container assembly of claim 1, further comprising one or more tabs extending from a lip of the tray sidewall and corresponding tabs extending from a lip of the lid sidewall.
 6. The container assembly of claim 1, wherein the container tray and the container lid are generally rectangular in shape.
 7. The container assembly of claim 6, wherein the one or more protrusions includes four protrusions each positioned adjacent a corresponding corner of the rectangular container tray.
 8. The container assembly of claim 1, wherein the recessed storage region includes a recess panel offset from the tray panel and a surrounding recess wall extending therebetween.
 9. The container assembly of claim 8, wherein the recess wall comprises a corrugated surface.
 10. The container assembly of claim 1, wherein the tray sidewall comprises a corrugated surface.
 11. A container assembly, comprising: a container tray, including: a base flange, a tray panel, and a corrugated surrounding tray sidewall extending therebetween, wherein the tray panel includes a recessed storage region; and a plurality of protrusions extending from the tray sidewall, each including upper and lower surfaces, wherein at least a portion of the upper surface is substantially flush with the tray panel and the lower surface is substantially parallel to the base flange; and a container lid mateable with the container tray, including: a lid panel; a surrounding lid sidewall extending from the lid panel; and a plurality of recesses formed into an interior surface of the lid sidewall, wherein each recess is configured and positioned to securely engage a corresponding one of the plurality of protrusions when the container lid is mated to the container tray.
 12. The container assembly of claim 11, further comprising one or more tabs extending from the base flange and corresponding tabs extending from the lid sidewall.
 13. The container assembly of claim 11, wherein the container tray and the container lid are generally rectangular in shape.
 14. The container assembly of claim 13, wherein the plurality of protrusions includes four protrusions each positioned adjacent a corresponding corner of the rectangular container tray.
 15. The container assembly of claim 11, wherein the recessed storage region includes a recess panel offset from the tray panel and a surrounding recess wall extending therebetween.
 16. The container assembly of claim 15, wherein the recess wall comprises a corrugated surface. 